Mullaperiyar Dam
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Overview
The Mullaperiyar dam (1895) is on the Periyar in Kerala's Idukki district. It is operated by Tamil Nadu, which has led to an inter-state dispute.
It was built in 1895 under the British engineer John Pennycuick.
It is in Kerala but is owned and operated by Tamil Nadu under a 999-year lease of 1886.
The Supreme Court allowed the water level to be raised to 142 ft in 2014, but Kerala continues to raise safety concerns.
It is made of lime and surkhi.
The dam is over 125 years old.
Its water irrigates parts of Theni, Madurai and nearby districts.
Kerala wants a new dam.
Geography and key facts
- Periyar, Kerala
- Run by Tamil Nadu
- Inter-state dispute
- Built 1895
- 999-year lease (1886)
- 142 ft level (2014)
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked on water disputes.
Note for UPSC
Periyar, Kerala; operated by Tamil Nadu, subject of an inter-state dispute.
Prelims pairs dams and projects with their rivers and states.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Mullaperiyar Dam yet.
Key facts
- Type
- Dam / reservoir
- State / UT
- Kerala
- Basin
- West-flowing (Western Ghats)
- River
- Periyar
- Coordinates
- 9.529°N, 77.144°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
More dams and reservoirs (same basin first)
Also in the West-flowing (Western Ghats) basin
Other places in Kerala
All dams and reservoirs · Revision list · Most asked in PYQs